Wall insulation system providing improved moisture control

Abstract

Disclosed are an insulation product and an insulation system incorporating such a product for insulating exterior walls, particularly masonry walls, that incorporates a wicking media to transport condensate away from the interface between the insulating product and the exterior wall. The condensate will be removed to a more interior location where it can evaporate and/or be transferred to and held in a sorbent material until conditions allow permit evaporation. The insulation system includes an integrated support element that can be used to increase the rate of evaporation via various methods and/or improve the aesthetic appearance of the insulating product. The evaporation rate may be improved through the use of increased wicking material area, secondary evaporative surfaces, heating and/or forced or natural convection.

1 . An insulation product for exterior walls comprising: 
 a primary insulating layer having an inner surface, an outer surface and lower surface; and    a wicking material layer having a primary portion provided on the outer surface of the primary insulating layer for collection and transport of a liquid and an extending portion positioned below the lower surface for evaporation of the liquid.    
     
     
         2 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a vapor retarding layer provided on the inner surface of the primary insulating layer.    
     
     
         3 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the wicking material layer covers substantially the entire outer surface of the primary insulating layer.    
     
     
         4 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sorbent region provided adjacent the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         5 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the sorbent region is formed by coating an outer region of the primary insulating layer with a sorbent material.    
     
     
         6 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the sorbent region is material layer provided between the primary insulating layer and the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         7 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the extending portion of the wicking material layer is arranged and configured to extend beyond a plane defined by the inner surface of the primary insulating layer and into an insulated space.    
     
     
         8 . An exterior wall insulating system comprising: 
 an insulating element including 
 a primary insulating layer having an inner surface, an outer surface and lower surface; and  
 a wicking material layer having a primary portion provided on the outer surface of the primary insulating layer for collection and transport of a liquid and an extending portion positioned below the lower surface for evaporation of the liquid; and  
   a supporting element arranged and configured to support the insulating element and accommodate the extending portion of the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         9 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a sorbent material provided within the supporting element and in contact with the extending portion of the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         10 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a sorbent material provided within the supporting element and in contact with the extending portion of the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         11 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a heating element provided within the supporting element and in proximity to the extending portion of the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         12 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a secondary evaporative material provided within the supporting element and in contact with the extending portion of the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         13 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the secondary evaporative material is configured to increase an effective evaporative area.    
     
     
         14 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the supporting element defines a passage through which a gas may be forced along the extending portion of the wicking material layer.    
     
     
         15 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the supporting element includes a plurality of openings whereby vapor evaporating from the extending portion of the wicking material layer may pass into an insulated space.    
     
     
         16 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the supporting element includes trim elements that extend over a lower peripheral portion of the inner surface of the insulating element.    
     
     
         17 . An exterior wall insulating system according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the supporting element is arranged and configured to receive a trim element, the trim element including regions that extend over a lower peripheral portion of the inner surface of the insulating element.    
     
     
         18 . An insulation product for exterior walls comprising: 
 a primary insulating layer having an inner surface, an outer surface and lower surface; and    a sorbent material layer having a primary portion provided on the outer surface of the primary insulating layer for the collection, temporary retention and subsequent evaporation of a liquid.    
     
     
         19 . A method for insulating exterior walls, the method comprising: 
 fastening a primary support element adjacent the exterior wall;    installing an insulating element adjacent the exterior wall, a lower surface of the insulating element being supported by the primary support element, the insulating element including an extending portion of a wicking material layer that extends the primary support element;    installing a trim element on the primary support element, the trim element including a portion covering a lower peripheral surface of the insulating element.    
     
     
         20 . A method for insulating exterior walls according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 securing the extending portion of the wicking material layer with cooperating structures provided on the primary support element and the trim element.